Car driven into Biggera Waters gym and set alight in targeted arson attack

Police will probe potential bikie links after a car was driven through the front of a brand new Gold Coast gym and then set on fire. See the damage.

Total Fitness Biggera Waters was targeted in arson attack on Saturday. Picture Glenn Hampson

Arsonists have torched a brand new gym and health centre on the Gold Coast with police investigating potential links to organised crime.

Emergency services were called to Total Fitness on Brisbane Road in Biggera Waters about 2am on Saturday, February 22, to find the commercial premises engulfed by fire.

“Investigations to date have shown two men that look like they’ve put a vehicle through the front of the premises and then followed up by setting it on fire,” Acting Gold Coast Chief Superintendent Peter Miles said.

“A jerry can was seen to be in possession of one of the males. It’s not like this is an accident, there is a fair degree of intent involved here.”

A wooden board has been installed where the car was driven into the business. Picture Glenn Hampson

The gym franchise, which has marketed itself online as the “Gold Coast’s premier fitness destination” with magnesium baths, a hydrotherapy pool, steam room, infra-red sauna and luxury lounge as part of the membership inclusion, hasn’t opened its doors to customers. Construction work was nearing completion when it was set alight.

Acting Chief Superintendent Miles said detectives from the Gold Coast Criminal Investigation Branch were handling the arson probe and would look closely at the possibility of organised crime links.
“We know that there are interests from outlaw motorcycle gangs, (they) have interest in gyms. We know that extortion is part of their business as usual model, we know that competition does create issues for them,” he said.

“We’ve seen the issues nationwide with regard to tobacconists and we just want to hit down hard on this early.

“We’re looking at all avenues and all lines of inquiry.”

. Workers clean up smoke damage in the adjoining factory, Sydney Tools. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The vehicle involved in ramming the property was completely destroyed by the blaze. Police were still working to determine the identity of the two men involved. They fled the scene on foot before officers arrived. The consequences of the arson may have been far more serious according to Acting Chief Supt Miles.

“A lot of these gyms are 24/7, I don’t want to be in a situation where somebody might be out the back and all of a sudden we’re looking at a fatality in one of these fires,” he said.

“These clowns, they don’t think – they do the job and don’t think of the consequences, so this is serious.”

A neighbouring tools business was impacted by smoke from the fire with the store's manager telling the Bulletin a significant quantity of stock was damaged.

Thirteen cleaners were called in on Monday morning to clear the mess while the tools store remained open to customers.

Police are continuing to appeal for anyone who may have been in the area early on Saturday morning and may have dashcam or CCTV footage to get in touch.